The Los Alamos National Laboratory has been disposing of radioactive wastes since 1944. Environmental studies and monitoring for radioactive contamination started concurrently. In this report, only two mechanisms and rates by which the radionuclides can enter the environment are studied in detail: subsurface transport of radionuclides by migrating water, and diffusion of tritiated water (HTO) in the vapor phase. The report also includes a section concerning the influence of moisture on shear strength and possible resulting subsidences occurring in the pit overburdens. Because subsurface transport of radionuclides is influenced by the hydraulic conductivity and this in turn is regulated by the moisture content of any given material, a study was also undertaken involving precipitation, the most important climatic element influencing the geohydrology of any given area. Further work is in progress to correlate HTO emanation to atmospheric and pedological properties, especially including thermal characteristics of the tuff.

Newsletter issued by the Advisory Council for Technical-Vocational Education in Texas discussing news, events, and other relevant information related to technical and vocational education for adults in Texas.

This paper describes an analytical tool for evaluating the effectiveness of safeguards that protect special nuclear material (SNM). The tool quantifies the effectiveness using several measures, including probabilities and expected times to detect and respond to malevolent attempts against the facility. These measures are computed for a spectrum of threats involving outsiders, insiders, collusion, falsification, and deceit. Overall system effectiveness is judged using performance indices aggregated over all threats. These indices can be used by designers and regulators when comparing costs and benefits of various safeguards. The framework is demonstrated with an example in which we assess vulnerabilities of a safeguards system and identify cost-effective design modifications.

Tritium permeation is being measured through potential barriers, such as aluminum, copper, various oxides and glasses. The temperature range of the experiments is 300 to 500 K (25 to 200/sup 0/C) to compare such results to extrapolated high temperature data. A physical model is presented that accounts for the non-linear permeability seen at these low temperatures, where surfaces predominate.

We have been investigating methods for numerically extending the analytic solutions of field reversed theta pinch equilibria so that the results may be used in various stability and dynamics studies. We have used generalizations of elliptical Hill's vortex equilibria which accomodate separatrices with more rectangular shapes and which allow plasma to exist outside the separatrix. Although the equilibria are specified analytically inside the plasma surface, numerical techniques are required to generate the solution in the vacuum region. Two computer codes have been used in sequence. The first determines a set of external coils and their currents so that they match the known coil field inside the plasma. Then, given this coil field, we compute the contribution from the plasma currents to the fields in the vacuum region.

This program has as its main goal the isolation and development of Fusarium strains that can efficiently and economically decompose plant polysaccharides to pentoses and hexoses and ferment them to ethanol for fuel purposes. During Phase II (FY 1981) of this program, more than 800 new Fusarium isolates were isolated and screened. All showed cellulolytic activity. The Fusarium mutant ANL 3-72181 (derived after uv exposure of ANL 22 isolate) produced 2.45 iu cellulase after 14 days. This cellulase activity was achieved in the presence of 0.7 mg/mL extracellular protein. In separate tests, the use of both proteose peptone and yeast extract with 1% cellulose increased the production of extracellular protein three times over that on cellulose alone. Initial fermentation by Fusarium strains on 1% glucose produced up to 4.2 mg/mL ethanol in 48 hours. All Fusarium isolates and mutants found during this period were screened for xylose fermentation. Ethanol production during early experimentation required from 120 to 144 hours to yield 4.0 to 4.5 mg/mL ethanol from 1% xylose solutions. Through continuous selection of isolates, this time was reduced to 66 hours. By recycling Fusarium cell mass, fermentations of 1% xylose yielded 4.0 to 4.3 mg/mL ethanol in 48 hours. …

Evidence is presented to support the theory that several mass extinctions, i.e., those that define the Permian-Triassic boundary, the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary, and the Eocene-1 Oligocene boundary, were caused by impact on the earth of extraterrestrial objects having the composition of carbonaceous chondrites and diameters of about 10 km. The evidence consists of anomalously high concentrations of iridium and other siderophile elements at the stratigraphic levels defining the extinctions. (ACR)

The Ca II absorption lines observed in the late time optical spectra of Type I supernovae are analyzed in the context of the /sup 56/Ni model. The analysis indicates that a metal rich atmosphere of mass approx. 0.2 M/sub solar mass/ surrounds the /sup 56/Ni core. This result is consistent with properties of the atmosphere derived from spectra near maximum light.

The tornado-type wind energy system uses the pressure drop created by an intense vortex. The vortex is generated in a tower mounted at the turbine exit. The tower serves as a low pressure exhaust for the turbine. In a previous work, the author provided a numerical solution, using the two-equation (k-epsilon) turbulence model, of the tower flow with a uniform wind flow. Results compared favorably with measured values of pressure and showed a turbine diameter of approx. 0.4 times that of the tower to be optimum. In the present work, the author provides results to show the effects of embedding the tower in an atmospheric boundary layer, varying the tower height to diameter ratio, and varying tower diameter using the same system geometry and approach flow conditions. The results indicate a reduction of approx. 28% in power output

Inertial-fusion targets have been designed for use with heavy-ion accelerators as drivers in fusion energy power plants. We have made an initial survey of target gain versus beam energy, power, focal radius, and ion range. This provides input for understanding the trade-offs among accelerator designs.

A new experimental frontier has recently been opened to the study of two photon processes. The first results of many aspects of these reactions are being presented at this conference. In contrast, the theoretical development of research ito two photon processes has a much longer history. This talk reviews the many different theoretical ideas which provide a detailed framework for our understanding of two photon processes.

The use of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods is proposed for characterization of transuranic (TRU) waste stored at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex. These NDE methods include real-time x-ray radiography, real-time neutron radiography, x-ray and neutron computed tomography, thermal imaging, container weighing, visual examination, and acoustic measurements. An integrated NDE system is proposed for characterization and certification of TRU waste destined for eventual shipment to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. Methods for automating both the classification waste and control of a complete nondestructive evaluation/nondestructive assay system are presented. Feasibility testing of the different NDE methods, including real-time x-ray radiography, and development of automated waste classification techniques are covered as part of a five year effort designed to yield a production waste characterization system.

Test results from two plasma direct converters and their predicted cost and performance on tandem mirror fusion reactors are present. The tests were done at high power density (approx. 70 W/cm/sup 2/) in steady state to simulate the predicted conditions in a reactor. A single stage unit and a two-stage unit of the Venetian blind type were tested at up to 100 kV and 6 kW for a total time of about 80 hours. Measured efficiencies, when projected to a reactor, are typically about 50% for a single stage unit and 60 to 70% for a two-stage unit, depending on the energy distribution of the ions, the degree of subdivision of the collectors, and on the gas pressure. The high ambipolar potential in tandem mirror devices makes this good efficiency possible. When radiatively cooled grids are used, the incident power density is limited to about 100 W/cm/sup 2/ by the thermionic emission of electrons.

During the past contract year, considerable progress was made in characterization and activity/selectivity testing of iron and cobalt catalysts. Preparation of boride promoted cobalt and iron catalysts was refined and nearly completed. H/sub 2/ and CO adsorption and oxygen titration measurements were performed on a number of supported and unsupported catalysts, especially several boride promoted cobalt and iron catalysts. Activity/selectivity tests of 3 and 15% Fe/SiO/sub 2/ and Co/SiO/sub 2/ and of 6 borided cobalt and iron catalysts were completed. The product distributions for iron and cobalt boride catalysts are unusual and interesting. Boron promoted iron is more active and stable than iron/silica; cobalt boride has an unusually high selectivity for alcohols. Tests to determine effects of H/sub 2/S poisoning on activity/selectivity properties of 15% Co/SiO/sub 2/ indicate that a significant loss of activity occurs over a period of 24 to 28 h in the presence of 10 to 20 ppM H/sub 2/S. Product selectivity to liquids increased through a maximum during the gradual addition of sulfur. Reactant CO and H/sub 2/S interact partially to form COS which is less toxic than H/sub 2/S. H/sub 2/ and CO adsorption data were obtained for 3, 6 and 9% Co/ZSM-5 catalysts prepared …

The helium refrigeration for the Energy Saver is supplied by a Central Helium Liquefier and 24 Satellite Refrigerators installed over a 1-1/4 square mile area. An interactive, software simulator has been developed to calculate the refrigeration available from the cryogenic system over a wide range of operating conditions. The refrigeration system simulator incorporates models of the components which have been developed to quantitatively describe changes in system performance. The simulator output is presented in a real-time display which has been used to search for the optimal operating conditions of the Satellite-Central system, to examine the effect of an extended range of operating parameters and to identify equipment modifications which would improve the system performance.

An aquifer test at the Fenton Hill Geothermal Site was performed on a volcanic aquifer used for water supply. The test was made to determine the yield from the aquifer and to predict the amount of depletion that would occur with increased production during the period 1981 to 1985. A step-discharge test indicated the aquifer would comfortably yield 100 gal per min (gpm) without excessive water level drawdown in the pumping well. Drawdown test results indicated that the average aquifer transmissivity and storage coefficient are 5000 gal per day per foot (gpd/ft) and 0.07, respectively. Using these parameters, a drawdown was estimated to be at least 42 ft at the pumping well due to a withdrawal of 500 acre-ft of water over 5 yr. However, the presence of ground water boundaries indicates the aquifer is of limited extent, and because of this, the water level decline would probably be much greater. Past water level data indicate that there is little recharge to the aquifer.

This system provides trigger signals at various times and clock signals at various frequencies for the CAMAC transient recorders of the plasma diagnostics system for the TMX-Upgrade. The timing system is designed so that all clocks are in fixed-phase relation to their corresponding triggers and to each other. Therefore, data recorded from the different diagnostics can be directly time compared. Trigger signals can be generated in 100-ns increments, with an uncertainty of 500 ps. The clock signals have a time uncertainty of less than 1 ns. The system is arranged so that these accuracies are maintained over the entire diagnostic room. The timing system is modular and uses mostly digital delay generators, signal fan outs, and frequency dividers. Because of the modular approach, the system can be arranged in several ways (producing many possible trigger times and sample rate clocks) and still maintain a system in which all clocks and triggers are in a fixed-phase relationship.

During the period covered by this report, we analyzed the radiometric data collected along the Texas Gulf Coast using ten discriminant analysis techniques to establish radiometric signatures and classify new observations. We conducted a survey of several methods for computing the covariance matrix of large data sets, with particular interest to one-pass algorithms. An investigation of methods of estimating upper-tail percentiles for aerial radiometric data was begun. A feasibility study was conducted concerning the design of ground-based sampling plans using a statistical model for the correlation between observations taken along a flight line. A study of the use of cluster analysis in aerial radiometric data analysis was initiated. Two short courses on statistical methods were presented in Grand Junction, Colorado, and more are planned.

None

The Neutral Beam System Test Facility (NBSTF) at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory is a shielded facility for prototype development and testing of the multi-megawatt neutral-beam injection system for the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. NBSTF includes: a power system capable of regulated, rapidly switched 120-kV, 75-A, 1.5-sec pulses every three minutes; the cryopumped TFTR prototype beamline with calorimeter, sweep magnet, ion dump, duct, and a target calorimeter; and a computer controls and diagnostic system. Beam-diagnostic systems include: temperature profiles on calorimeter, target dump, and ion dump; temperature measurements on neutralizer and beam scrapers; water-flow calorimetry; Doppler-shift spectroscopy and an electrostatic analyzer; and an array of pressure gauges to determine gas distribution. Beam operation at 120 kV, 65 A, 0.8 sec has been achieved with a molecular-ion mixture of 60% D/sup +//30% D/sub 2//sup +//10% D/sub 3//sup +/. Limited operation with an improved plasma source has yielded 80% D/sup +//15%D/sub 2//sup +//5%D/sub 3//sup +/ at 120 kV, 67A, 0.5 sec. The estimated 120-keV D/sup 0/ power delivered with twelve ion sources to TFTR is 17 +/-2 MW for the standard plasma source and 22 +/-4 MW for the improved source.

Retrofitting existing power plants with an open-cycle MHD system has been re-examined in light of recent developments in the heat and seed recovery technology area. A new retrofit cycle configuration has been developed which provides for a direct gas-gas coupling; also, the MHD topping cycle can be decoupled from the existing plant for either separate or joint operation. As an example, the MHD retrofit concept has been applied to Illinois Power Company's Vermilion Station No. 1, a coal-fired power plant presently in operation. Substantial increases in efficiency have been demonstrated and the economic validity of the MHD retrofit approach has been established.

Some of the essential features of the experimental results and theoretical interpretations of ..cap alpha..-transfer reactions are summarized. (WHK)

The initial expectation was that resonance behavior in heavy-ion systems would be limited to only a few special systems and to energies not too far above the Coulomb barrier. The past few years have shown us that this behavior has a much wider extent than was previously thought possible, although in many cases the indications of resonance behavior is at best qualitative. Results are presented for the /sup 28/Si + /sup 28/Si system - the heaviest in which resonance behavior has yet been observed. (WHK)

The design and fabrication techniques for a large magnetic bucket type of plasma source designed for the production of negative ions by surface conversion are described. These include the design of a converter structure, cesium oven and injector, variable aperture electrode, accelerator section as well as the features of the magnetic cusp geometry employed.